MILAN (AP) – AC Milan are boosted ahead of Sunday’s crucial derby match against Inter Milan with Adrien Rabiot’s return from injury.
And with only three points separating the top five teams in Serie A, the presence of veterans could be the key to an intense title battle.
Rabiot has not played for Milan since the goalless draw with Juventus on October 5, after sustaining a calf injury a few days later on international duty.
However, Rabiot undertook additional training sessions to speed up his recovery and returned to full training on Tuesday.
“I’m ready physically and mentally,” Rabiot told DAZN. “I always think I can help. I know in my heart that if I’m there, we’ll be stronger because I’m always the one who gives everything.”
Milan won four of the five matches Rabiot played in this season in the Italian Cup and in the league, and drew the remaining one.
Without him, the Rossoneri have recorded just two wins and three draws, appearing unbalanced in midfield and struggling to control matches.
Main matches
Roma will be hoping to capitalize on Inter’s missteps to move higher up the Serie A table.
The capital team are level with Inter at the top of the table with 24 points. Milan and Napoli are separated by two points, while fifth-placed Bologna have 21 points.
Roma visit mid-table Cremonese on Sunday just before the derby kick-off, while Napoli host Atalanta, who will be their manager. Rafael Palladino Debut as a successor to someone who was fired Ivan Juric During the international break.
The match will take place on Saturday, a few hours after Bologna vs. Udinese.
At the other end of the table, bottom club Fiorentina host Juventus and sit just two points below the top four clubs.
Fiorentina are one of two teams without a win this season, along with penultimate Hellas Verona. Verona are at home to Parma, who have just two points more than their opponents and are just one point above the relegation zone.
Genoa, who sit in 18th place, also face an important relegation battle with Cagliari, who sit just three points above the relegation zone.
Featured players
usa international Christian Pulisic returns from injury In Milan’s last game, he came on in the 70th minute and almost scored the winning goal late on in a 2-2 draw with Parma.
This was Pulisic’s first appearance in almost a month, having been Milan’s best player until his injury.
Pio Esposito, 20, is having a breakthrough season at Inter and is already being touted as Italy’s next great centre-forward.
He only appeared in five games for the Italian national team, scoring in three of them.
Activity suspended
Napoli’s problems continue to grow frank anguissa Newest player joins with long-term thigh injury kevin de bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
Inter defender Denzel Dumfries missed the derby after returning from the Dutch national team with an ankle injury.
Roma’s often-injured playmaker Paulo Dybala is still sidelined after tearing his hamstring muscle in the match against Milan at the beginning of the month.
off the field
Verona will host a unique doubleheader on Sunday.
Following Verona’s game against Parma, the women’s team will play in the second division against Les Donna Roma at the Stadio Bentegodi.
The same ticket will allow fans to attend both games, as well as special promotions such as beer for less than $3.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
